Shower head



Jan 22, 1952 RUSSELL 2,583,233

SHOWER HEAD Filed April 22, 1949 I I0 l4 INVENTOR. IRVl/VG H. RUSSE LL ATTOR/VE Y5 Patented Jan. 22, 1952 SHOWER HEAD Irving H. Russell, OakPark, 111., assignor to Sloan Valve Company, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Illinois Application April 22, 1949, Serial No. 89,067

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to shower heads for use in shower baths,and the principal object of the invention is to provide a new andimproved shower head which is automatically self-cleaning in action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved showerhead which automatically flushes out sediment or foreign deposits eachtime the shower head is used.

A further object is to produce an improved shower head which willinstantly discharge all residual water remaining in the shower head sothere is no subsequent dribble after the water is shut off. a

A still further object is to provide a shower head in which a waterdispersing disc is positioned in spaced relation to the casing outletand responsive to water flow into said casing, the outlet isautomatically restricted to produce a spray discharge.

Still further objects are to provide a new and improved shower headwhich is simple and durable in construction, is eflicient and reliablein operation, and does not require constant maintenance and service.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists incertain novel features of construction, operation, and combination 'ofthe various elements as will be more fully described and pointed outhereinafter.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional view through a shower head embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view showing the shower head in operatedposition with water flowing through the device; a

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1; whil Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of adifferent form of the invention.

A large number of shower heads in-use at the present time are providedwith a manually operated handle which is connected to an adjustablewater dispersing disc, so that the disc may be raised or lowered in thespray outlet of the casing to regulate the type of jet discharge desiredby the user. After use of this shower head, the handle must be againoperated to lower the water dispersing disc so that a large gap existsbetween the casing and the disc to permit the fiow of Water to flush outthe shower head.

Instill other shower heads in common usage, the water dispersing disc isadapted to be manually and axially screwed outward from the spraydischarge opening to permit flushing out of the 2 devices, theaccumulation of lime deposits and sediment results in gradualunsatisfactory operationv of the shower head because it has been foundfrom observation that the .user often neglects to fully open the waterdispersing disc to flush out the shower head, so that eventually the jetdischarge grooves become clogged up. This Lways provide the desiredspray characteristics without attention whatsoever by the user.

Referring now particularly to Fig. l of the drawings, this discloses apreferred embodiment of the invention arranged for installation in ashower stall or above a bathtub in the usual manner.

' The shower head comprises a cup-shaped body or casing 5, having alower flanged open portion 6 surrounding the spray outlet or dischargeend I. The upper neck portion 8 of the casing 5 is arranged to becarried or supported from a coupling nut 9 threaded thereon, whichclamps a universal swivel or ball joint [0 directly against packing ringH located in a recess in the'top of the shower head casing. Thisarrangement permits swinging of the shower head in any desired directionby the user. An attaching nipple'l2 is formed preferably integral withthe ball [0 and may be threaded onto the supply pipe carrying the inletwater supply through the passage l3. Passage I3 connects directly withthe water passage l4 extending into the casing through the ball H).

In order to regulate the water flow through the passage l4 and into theshower head, and to compensate for various velocities or pressures ofthe water supply, a throttle valve is preferably provided on the showerhead. This comprises a manual rotatable knob [5, having an operatingshaft extending through packing nut I6 in the sides of nipple 12. Thevalve opening I! in the throttle [5 when turned to the position shown inFig. 1 restricts the water supply to the outlet of the shower head,while in the position shown in Fig. 2,

sediment when necessary. Inboth'of these prior 6 'permits the water toenter the passage H. A

small circular groove IB surrounding the shaft of the throttle |5 onboth sides of the valve opening I! permits a small leakage in the supplyline and out through the shower outlet, so as to prevent reverse flowbetween the hot and cold water supply valve, in the event the pressureconditions of one exceeds the other.

A hollow supporting stem is threaded into the bottom of the casing 5into a partition 2| formed across the top of casing 5. This partition 2|is provided with a series of inlet openings 22, while the hollow stem 20has a pair of orifices 23 arranged near the upper end thereof and alarger number, preferably three orifices 24, adjacent the lower end ofthe stem 2|]. At the lower end of stem 20, supported in rigid relationthereto and with respect to the casing 5, is a water dispersing disc 25,preferably constructed of some phenolic condensation product, such asBakelite. This disc 25 is held in place as shown by means of a washer 26and a screw 27 threaded into the end of the stem 20, The outer peripheryof the water dispersing disc 25 is provided with an annular series ofgrooves or jet discharge passages 28 as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that in the normal position of the shower head, asshown in Fig. 1, when no water is flowing through the same, there is alarge discharge passage 29 present between the outer periphery of thedisc 25 and the flanged opening 1. This large opening, together with theledge 30 arranged on the top surface of disc 25, permits the instantdischarge of any accumulated amount of water which may be present in theshower head after the water supply has been turned off by the user, aswill be pointed out.

Slidable vertically within the casing 5 is a hydraulic piston generallyindicated at 3|, which divides the casing into an upper chambe 32 and alower chamber 33. This piston 3| is provided with an axial openingthrough which the supporting stem 20 extends, so that the piston hasslidable engagement with the stem 20, as well as with the inner walls ofthe casing 5. The piston 3| includes a skirted portion 35, comprising aflow obstructing member, having a lower annular flanged portion 36arranged in position between the periphery of the dispersing disc25 andthe flanged outlet opening 6 of easing 5. A shoulder 31 on the skirtprojects outwardly over the edge of the flange 6 to enable a screwdriver to be inserted therebetween to pry the skirt loose in the eventsticking occurs for any reason.

The piston 3| also includes a rubber packing member 38, arranged on thetop side of the skirt 35, which has sliding engagement with the walls ofthe casing 5, and prevents passage of water between the chambers 32 and33. The packing member 33 is held in place on the skirt, 35 by means ofa washer 39 and a nut 40 screwed onto the shank portion 4| of the skirt35.

Arranged between the top end of the water dispersing disc 25 and thebottom of the skirt 35, and encircling supporting stem 20, is arestoring spring 42, which in the normal position shown in Fig. l urgesthe piston 3| upwardly in the casing 5, and into abutting relationshipat shank 4| with a collar formed in the partition 2|, which limits theupward movement of the piston.

It will be noted that no water flow can take place through the showerhead in the .position shown in Fig. 1 until the piston 3| has been moveddownward by the pressure of the water to expose the orifices 23 intocommunication with the upper chamber 32.

In assembling the device, the piston 3| is first assembled by placingthe rubber packing 38 on the bottom of the skirt 35, then the washer 39on top of the packing 38, after which the nut 40 is threaded onto theshank of the skirt 35 to provide a unitary assembly for the piston. Thewater dispersing disc 25 is then placed on the lower end of supportingstem 20 along. with. washer 26, after which the screw 21 is screwed intothe open end of the stem 20, rigidly clamping the dispersing disc to thestem. The spring 42 is then slid over the stem 20 and the piston nextplaced thereon. This complete assembly is then pushed into the open endof the casing 5 and a screw driver applied to the screw driver slot 43on the upper end of the stem 20", so that the stem can be screwedupwardly into the partition 2| of the casing 5, thereby completing theassembly.

I Referring now to the hydraulic operation of the shower head as shownin Fig. 2, the flow regulating valve l5 may first be turned to the openposition as shown in Fig. 2. After the water supply inlet valves usuallyprovided in a shower, have been opened to admit the proper mixture ofhot and cold water, this mixed water flows through the nipple inletl3and passage I4 through the openings 22 and into the upper chamber 32 ofcasing 5. As pressure is built up in chamber 32 against the tension ofspring 42, the piston packing 38 is forced downward, gradually exposingthe orifices 23 in the stem 20, so that water flow can now pass into thehollow interior of the stem 20 and outward through the lower orifices 24into lower chamber 33.

The arrangements of the parts and the tension exerted by spring 42 issuch that this movement of the piston 3| will take place at relativelylow water pressures on the inlet side of the shower. head. Since thereare a greater number of orifices 24 than upper orifices 23, no backpressure will take place in upper chamber 32 to restrict the operationof the piston. The movement of the piston 3| is stopped when the flangedportion 1 of the skirt 35 makes contact with the outer edges of thegrooves 28 in water dispersing disc 25. In this position of the skirt33, the water flow from chamber 33 is restricted and directed entirelythrough the grooves 28, so that a coneshaped jet discharge is emittedfrom the dispersing disc onto the user of the shower head. These jetdischarge passages 28 are of. slightly greater capacity than theorifices. 24 or 23, so

that no back pressure will be built up in the chambers 32 and 33 toefiect the operation of the device.

When the inlet supply valves are shut off to discontinue the use of theshower head, the cessation of water flow through the device results inthe reduction of pressure against the piston packing member 38, so thatthe accumulated energy stored in spring 42 is effective to push thepiston 3| upwardly into its normal position, as depicted in Fig. 1. Thismovement likewise carries along the flow obstructing skirt 35, instantlyopening up the wide passage 29-between the periphery of the dispersing.disc 25 and the lower flanged portion 36 of the skirt 35. results inthe immediate flushing out and cleansing of any accumulated dirt orsediment which may be lodged in .the shower head passages. likewise, thesize of this opening 29 is efiective to prevent the accumulation of anyresidual water in the head which would ordinarily cause an annoyingdribble for some time.

1;, It will beobserved that the reciprocating. move- This action meritof the piston between thedispersin'g. disc 25 and the flange of thecasing occurs each timev that the shower head is used, and thisoperation is entirely automatic and results in a positive cleansingaction of the shower head. It will also be noted that no spray or jetdischarge can take place from the shower head until the flange 36 of theskirt has moved into positive contact with the disc grooves 28.

Referring now more particularly to the modification of the inventionshown in Fig. 4, this arrangement includes the same principles ofoperation of the preferred embodiment, except for minor variationsthereof. The device is shown in its operated position with water,flowing through the same and a jet discharge being emitted from thewater dispersing disc. The device comprises a casing |].of cup shape,having a hollow stem 5| threaded axiallyinto a partition 52 arranged inthe top end of the body 50. The water supply enters the casing 55 andpasses through the axial opening 53 of the stem 5| and outward through aseries of orifices 54 in the sides of the stem 5|, and into upperchamber 55 of the casing. At the lower end of stem 5|, there is rigidlysecured a water dispersing disc 56, having a series of peripheralgrooves 51 or jet discharge passages. The disc 56 is clamped rigidly inposition on the stem 5| by means of a washer 58 and a clamping screw 59.A cup-shaped water flow control member 66 is arranged in slidablerelation to the walls of the casing I5 and has an axial openingtherethroughwhich encircles the supporting stem 5|.1 This memberfillprovides a lower chamber 6| and includesv a series of orifices 62arranged in the sides of the member 60 which establishes communicationbetween the upper chamber 55 and the lower chamber 6|.

The lower open end of the flow control member 60 is provided with aflanged portion 63which is adapted to move into contactual relationshipwith the jet discharge grooves 51 of the dispersing disc 55. A couplingring 64, threaded on the open end of easing 5|], serves to hold the flowcontrol member 60in position and serves as a stop for a flange 65 formedin the member 60. Arranged approximately opposite the lower end of themember 60 is a circular ring 66 protruding on the inside of the casing5, which cooperates with a series of guiding projections 61 formed onthe flow controlmember 6E] and serves to guide 60 upwardly into thedotted line position shown.

Upon the admission of water into the inlet end of the shower head, flowtakes place through stem 5|, orifices 54 and into the chamber 55. Thepressure exerted in this chamber forces the flow control member 60downward, thereby exposing the passages between the guiding ribs 61 andring 66, so that the water flow can take place into the orifices 62 andinto chamber 6|. Thisl water flow can only take place at a time when theribs 61 have been moved downwardly past the ring 66, and when the bottomflanged edge 63 of the flow control member 60 is in engagement with thejet discharge grooves 51 in the position shown in Fig. 4, whereupon ajet discharge is emitted from the device. Upon cessation of water flow,the spring 68, having tension stored therein, forces the flow controlmember 60 upward again,

mens N W fin ernai and the flange 64, to serve to clean out accumulatedforeign substances and permit instant discharge of residual water withinthe shower head. The invention having been described more or lessspecific as to details, including a modification thereof, it isunderstood that the same is not to be limited thereby, as changes may bemade in the arrangement and proportion of the parts and elements, andthat equivalents may be substituted therefor, all without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. What is claimed is: 1. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casinghaving a water supply inlet, and an outlet therefor, a piston slidablein said casing and having a skirt portion thereon, a water dispersingdisc rigidly supported at the outlet and of said casing, said pistonautomatically movable responsive to water flow into said casing to moveits skirt into engagement with said water dispersing disc to produce aspray discharge, and means for preventing the emission of said spraydischarge until the'skirt portion of said piston has engaged saiddispersing disc, said means comprising a flow passage through saidpiston exposed only for fluid flow when the piston has been moved.

2. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inletvand an outlet therefor, a water dispersing disc rigidly supported ax-.

ially in said casing and spaced from said casing outlet, a cup-shapedflow control member in said casing, .a piston attached to said flowcontrol member slidable in said casing said piston ar-.

ranged to automatically move said flow control member into engagementwith the periphery of said dispersing disc responsive to water flowthrough said casing to cause a spray discharge to be emitted from saidoutlet, and spring means for automatically withdrawing said flow controlmember from said dispersing disc upon the cessation of water flow.

3. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inletand an outlet therefor, a water dispersing disc arranged injuxtaposition to said outlet, means for rigidly supportin saiddispersing disc in axial alignment with said casing, a piston having askirt forming a flow control means, said skirt surrounding said disc butnormally spaced apart therefrom, said piston being automaticallyslidable in said casing responsive to water flow into said casing tomove said flow control means into spray dis,- charge engagement withsaid dispersing disc, and

a water passage in said rigid disc supporting means opened for passageof water through said device only when said piston has been operated.

4. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inletand an outlet therefor, a water dispersing disc, a supporting stemrigidly carrying said disc in axial spaced relation to said casingoutlet, a piston having a skirt formin a flow control member arrangedwith the skirt between said casing wall and said dispersing disc butspaced apart from said disperse ing disc, said piston having an axialopening through which said supporting stem extends and having slidablecontact with the wallsof said casing, said piston automaticallyresponsive to water flow through said casing to cause said flow controlmember skirt to move into water dispersing engagement with saiddispersing disc, and said supporting stem having a water passagetherethrough opened by the movement of said piston to permit water flowthrough said device amazes 7 and cause; a spray discharge from theoutlet. thereof.

5. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a. water supply inletand an outlet therefor, a. water dispersing disc rigidly supported insaid casing and arranged axially adjacent the outlet end thereof, a flowcontrol means movable in said casing, said flow means automaticallymovable responsive to water flow into said casing. to move. in the samedirection as said water flow and into spray discharge engagement withsaid dispersing disc, means for causing said spray discharge to beemitted only at the time said flow control means engages said dispersingdisc, said means including a water passage in said device opened forwater how by the. movement of said flow control means and sprin meansfor withdrawing said flow control means from said dispersingdisc uponthe cessation of water flow to provide a large gap therebetween andthereby prevent dripping from the casing outlet, the withdrawal of saidfiow control means again closing said Water passage.

6. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inletand an outlet, a hollow stem secured at one end axially within saidcasing, a water dispersing disc rigidly secured at the other end of saidstem with the periphery thereof spaced apart from the casing wall, apiston sldiable in said casing and dividing the casin into an upper anda lower chamber, said piston also having an axial opening thereinslidable along said hollow stem, flow control means carried by saidpiston and adapted to be interposed between said casing wall and saidwater dispersing disc when said piston is moved, a series of orifices.on said hollow stem in said lower chamber and another series of orificeson said stem normally obstructed by said piston and closing off saidupper chamber, water flow into said casing causing said piston toautomatically move to expose said upper chamber orifices whereby thewater flow extends through said hollow stem and out of said lowerchamber orifices to form a spray discharge and only when said controlmeans has been moved into engagement with said water dispersing disc.

'7. In a self-cleaning shower head, a cup-shaped casing having a watersupply inlet and an outlet at the open end thereof, a Water dispersingdisc rigidly supported in spaced relation to the open end of saidcasing, restricting means comprising a piston automaticall controlled bythe flow of water into said casin and having a skirt portion thereonmovable therewith for restricting the space between said dispersing discand the open. end of the casing to cause a spray discharge to be emittedtherebetween, and spring means responsive to the cessation of water flowinto said casing for restoring said restricting means to open the spacebetween said casing and said dispersing disc whereby water dripping fromthe shower head is eliminated.

8. In a self-cleanin shower head, a cup-shaped casing having a watersupply inlet and an outlet at the open end thereof, a water dispersingdisc supported in spaced peripheral relation to the open end of saidcasing, piston means automatically controlled by the flow of water intosaid casing for decreasing the space between said dispersing disc andthe casing outlet to cause a spray discharge to be emitted therefrom,means for preventing the emission of said spray discharge until saidspace has been decreased to produce the proper spray discharge, saidmeans comprising a: water flow passage opened, by the:

operation of said piston means and closed when the water flow ceasesand. spring means for in.- creasing, said spaceagain to flush out theshower head upon the cessation of water flow.

9. In aself-cleaning shower head, a casing terminating in a lipsurrounding a discharge opening, said casin having a water inletaperture. at its opposite end, a water dispersing disc normally fixed inrelation to. the casing and having: a circumferential edge portionexterior to the plane, in which the lip of the open end of the casing.lies, a piston mounted for movement within the casing in response towater pressure. within the casing, the. piston having a circumferentialedge portion positioned to extend between the lip of the casing and theedge of the water dispersing disc, said piston having a portion adapted,with a portion of the casing, to define a. pressure chamher incommunication with the water inlet. aperture of the casing, and springmeans. adapted normally to urge the piston to a withdrawn positionwithin the casing, said spring means being of insufficient strength toresist movement of the piston toward extended position when normal.service water pressure is admitted to said pressure chamber, thecircumferential edge portion of the piston, when the piston is inextended position, defining, with the circumferential edge portion ofthe water dispersing disc, a restricted discharge passage.

10. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing terminating in a lipsurrounding a discharge opening, said casing having a water inletaperture adjacent its opposite end, a water dispersing disc normallyfixed in relation to the casing and having a circumferential edgeportion, and a piston mounted for movement within the casing, inresponse to water pressure within the casing, said piston having acircumferential edge portion opposable to the edge portion of thecasing, said piston bein guided for movement in the casin in response tothe admission of water under pres sure through the water inlet apertureof the casing, and spring means adapted to move the piston away from thewater dispersing disc when the piston is not subjected to waterpressure, the piston including a portion which, when the piston is inwithdrawn position from the water dispersing disc in response to actionof said spring means, constitutes a closure of the casing adapted toprevent water flow from said water inlet aperture to said dischargeopening.

11. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inletand having an outlet opening, a water dispersin disc normally fixed inrelation to said casing, a movable member adapted to complete, with saiddisc, a spray passage in said outlet opening, a uiding connectionbetween said member and the casing formed and adapted to guide themember toward and away from the disc, the disc having an edge portionconforming substantially to the inner diameter of an aperture in themember when the member is opposed to the disc, an assembly for movingthe member toward the disc in response to a flow of water inwardlythrough the water supply inlet, said assembly including means adapted toinitiate the flow of water between the disc and the member at the end ofthe movement of the member toward the disc, the opposed edge surfaces ofthe member and the disc bein shaped to define circumferentially spacedjet discharge orifices, and means for moving the member to a positionwithdrawn from the disc when the flow memes 9 of water through the Watersupply inlet is terminated.

12. The structure of claim 11 characterized in that the assemblyincludes an apertured shutter element and an opposed closure elementcooperetingtherewith, one such element being fixed in relation to thecasing and the other such elementybeing mounted for movement in unisonwith the movable member.

IRVING H. RUSSELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number Number 10;, UNITED sTATns PATENTS Name Date Speakmen Aug. 17,1917 Hewitt 1 Nov. 26, 1929 Schneider July 28, 1936 High Aug. 25, 1942FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Mar. 8. 1889 France Sept. 10,1934

